Impact of the Fund for BW
"The Fund for BW serves as a foundation for our university that sustains excellence by providing immediate and flexible support to the greatest needs and emerging priorities of our students."
— BW President Lee Fisher
When you give to the Fund for BW, you help make opportunities possible across campus. Your support removes barriers to student success, enriches learning beyond the classroom, strengthens student programs and services, and helps ensure that every Yellow Jacket has the resources to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.
Student Impact Stories
Jenna Shepard '26
Your continued support makes a tangible impact on the lives of students. For Jenna Shepard '26, a computer science major at Baldwin Wallace, the Sherwin-Williams Career Accelerator Program has opened doors to valuable career connections and professional growth opportunities.
"The program has been a great way to build my network," Shepard said. "There is clear communication about internships, jobs and events both on campus and throughout Greater Cleveland, which has helped me stay connected to opportunities that align with my goals."
Hannah Sim '26
Through the generous support of donors, BW students have access to life-changing opportunities such as travel abroad programs. For Hannah Sim '26, a theatre major from Medina, Ohio, a study abroad experience in London transformed the way she views her craft. Alongside 25 fellow BW students and two faculty members, Hannah spent May immersed in one of the world's most vibrant theatre communities, attending productions and gaining firsthand exposure to the industry's highest levels of artistic excellence.
"None of these wonderful experiences would have happened without the generous support of the Bonds family," Sim said. "The productions I saw in London helped me better understand what makes theatre so magical."
By the Numbers
July 1, 2025 — June 30, 2026
- Total Dollars Raised: $4,782,507.43
- Number of Donors: 1,910
- Donor Retention Rate from FY25: 58%
- First-Time Donors: 308
Donor Spotlights
Joel Ross '76
BW Class Ambassador
"My BW education and the connections I made at BW have had a lasting impact on my career. The learning and experiential opportunities I gained at BW opened doors and prepared me for a successful career in marketing and corporate communications with Fortune 500 companies. More importantly, BW prepared me to embrace what's next and be ready for opportunities that often arise when you least expect them."
Brianna Razzante '15
BW Class Ambassador
"I give back to BW so future generations of students can have the same experiences as I did at BW. Several faculty and staff members genuinely cared about my success and well-being as a student and future contributing member of society. They leaned in, wanted to see me succeed and helped me when I needed advice or support. I had a wonderful experience growing as a person and meeting some of my best friends. That experience continues to motivate me to give back."
What's Next
Partner with thousands of like-minded donors who continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of BW students. A Gift to the Fund for BW advances various initiatives that enhance the experience for the next generation of Yellow Jackets. Your gift allows BW to have the capacity to:
Support our students: Your generosity ensures students have access to scholarships, internships, leadership opportunities, and the learning environments to help them achieve their goals.
Keep BW thriving: Your support fuels innovation, campus enhancements, and emerging opportunities that strengthen the exceptional BW experience for today’s students.
Create new possibilities: Your gift advances new initiatives in academics, research, and community engagement that prepare the next generation of Yellow Jacket leaders.
Ways to Give
Whether you're able to make a gift today or are considering a future gift through your estate plans, we can work with you and your advisors to maximize both your philanthropic impact and potential tax advantages. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, Baldwin Wallace offers donors the most favorable tax benefits permitted by law.
View the different ways you can support the Fund for BW. For questions contact John Bauer, Director of the Fund for BW at jbauer@bw.edu or (440) 826-8045.